CN100414041C

CN100414041C - Porous absorber and ink-jet recording devices

Info

Publication number: CN100414041C
Application number: CNB021606188A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 河野岳信; 松久裕英; 片柳纯
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2001-08-01
Filing date: 2002-08-01
Publication date: 2008-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-01
Also published as: US20030030693A1; DE60213040T2; DE60213040D1; EP1281811A1; CN1424462A; EP1281811B1; JP3840142B2; KR20030011710A; ATE333002T1; JP2003113590A; US6858273B2; KR100463012B1

Abstract

A porous absorbent can be formed using recycling materials, which makes it possible to provide at lower costs an excellent capability of absorbing ink or the like, as well as an excellent handling performance. The porous absorbent contains at least virgin fiber, old paper fiber of waste newspaper, and hemp fiber.

Description

Porous absorber and ink-jet recording apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to absorb the porous absorber of ink etc., with the ink-jet recording apparatus that this porous absorber is housed. as concrete example, the present invention is applicable to using absorber for the useless ink that absorbs the useless ink of discharging in the ink-jet recording apparatus and the ink-jet recording apparatus of this useless ink with absorber being housed.

Technical background

Ink-jet recording, because low noise, low operating cost, device is easy to miniaturization, be easy to reasons such as colorize, be widely used in printer and duplicator. in ink-jet recording apparatus, the ink ejection part of record head is adhered to paper powder and dust and other impurities, perhaps, the ink dried of ink ejection part, when viscosity increase or set, tend to cause that ink jet exit stops up, cause spraying not smooth (comprise and not spraying). when bringing into use new product ink cartridge and shower nozzle box, ink flow path from the ink jet exit to the ink tank may not be in normal condition really. therefore ensure that for preventing that ink jet exit from stopping up ink flow path is normal, have to removing purifier attached to ink ejection part (the formation face of ink jet exit etc.) foreign material of record head, with for ensureing the ink jet exit and the normal recovery device of ink flow path of record head. as this purifier, the main mechanism that adopts is that the ejiction opening of wiper (Wiping member) the wiping cleaning record head that utilizes deflection forms face.

As recovery device, employed recovery device, mainly be when non-record, making lid form face with the ejiction opening of record shower nozzle closely contacts, utilize cap covers ink jet exit (the following gland that also cries), utilize aspirators such as pump simultaneously, aspirate ink by lid from ink jet exit. this recovery device, the ink that is not suitable for writing down is discharged to the useless ink that is located at the aspirator downstream accommodates part, so that ink jet exit and ink flow path are normal, resume work. as the pump that constitutes aspirator, the pump that cylinder piston type is arranged of practical application, the style of the distortion of the lid that utilization is formed by elastic component and tubing pump etc. tubing pump wherein, suitable miniaturization unlike the cylinder piston type pump, but but the scope of determination of suction pressure and aspiration is wide, in same formation pump, the condition of suction pressure and aspiration can more arbitrarily be set, versatility to various products is also very high, so adopt mostly as the aspirator in the desktop printer. accommodate part at useless ink, at least be provided with the waste ink absorber acceptor, to keep absorbing the useless ink of discharging by pump.

The waste ink absorber acceptor of current lift-launch in tape deck is to be made of 100% fresh fiber cellulose fiber.

Yet, the waste ink absorber acceptor that utilizes 100% fresh fiber cellulose fiber to constitute costs an arm and a leg. in order to give full play to the ink recovery performance of waste ink absorber acceptor, for example, adopt the spy to open disclosed formation in the 2000-135797 communique, surperficial upper strata at the waste ink absorber acceptor is overlapped into fiber sheet, but it is very complicated that the structure of this waste ink absorber acceptor becomes, and cause price further to raise.

Therefore, current technology trend is integral to the consideration of environment, the recirculation that improves goods utilizes again. and from then on viewpoint is set out, emphatically further investigation changes the waste ink absorber acceptor that uses the fresh fiber cellulose fiber and constitutes. and constitute as the waste ink absorber acceptor of considering environment, think recycled materials such as should actively utilizing waste paper.

In this investigation, as the article that utilize cellulose fibres such as waste paper and constitute, find the promising padded coaming that cushions such as avoid impacting when article are flowed. as the sort buffer material, having the spy to open disclosedly in the flat 9-78500 communique (USP5785817) utilizes the dry type method for making to make, open the 2000-119999 communique with the spy, yet the spy opens and disclosedly in the 2000-120000 communique utilizes the wet type method for making to make., the padded coaming that utilizes the dry type manufacturing is as the waste ink absorber acceptor time spent, when absorbing ink, the fiber that bonds together produces each other and peels off, make the shape generation disintegration of padded coaming, form dressed in rags. the ability of saying such padded coaming absorption ink is just not high originally, so can not reach the effect that expection fully absorbs useless ink, when using as the waste ink absorber acceptor in the ink-jet recording apparatus, what all can not satisfy. and the padded coaming that utilizes wet type to make, compare with the padded coaming of dry type method for making, though the ink absorption performance is good, but, the padded coaming that has absorbed ink becomes very fragile, its shape is easy to disintegration, and the property handled is very poor.

Finally,, utilize regrown material such as waste paper to make though consider environment as the material that padded coaming proposes, because the shape easy disintegrating, the property handled is poor, the ink absorption performance is insufficient, so can't be with it as the ink absorber in the ink-jet recording apparatus.

If, in the time of will installing as the waste ink absorber acceptor of such padded coaming ink-jet recording apparatus, when this waste ink absorber acceptor was installed before absorbing useless ink (when making ink-jet recording apparatus stage installation waste ink absorber acceptor), absorb when reclaiming behind the useless ink with this waste ink absorber acceptor when waste ink water absorbent (when ink-jet recording apparatus being disassembled) for utilizing again, the part meeting disintegration of this waste ink absorber acceptor, there is the danger of infringement original shape. and, the part in small, broken bits of disintegration when this waste ink absorber acceptor is installed, be present in the ink-jet recording apparatus with the dust form, this can damage the function of the important ink jet print head of ink-jet recording apparatus, the danger that exists the image recording quality to reduce. the part in small, broken bits of disintegration when reclaiming this waste ink absorber acceptor, be present in the ink-jet recording apparatus with residue when utilizing, this damages the black tape deck danger of usability again of disputing with regard to existing again.

And then, the padded coaming that this ink absorption performance is inferior is as the waste ink absorber acceptor of ink-jet recording apparatus and when using, exist not by of accommodate the danger that part leak of the useless ink of this waste ink absorber acceptor absorption from the waste ink absorber acceptor. and, when the part of receiving this waste ink absorber acceptor of dress is made of synthetic resin, because of contacting for a long time with the useless ink that is not absorbed by the waste ink absorber acceptor, the receipts dress part of this waste ink absorber acceptor can produce variable color, the danger that it can not be utilized is again arranged. when the receipts dress part of this waste ink absorber acceptor formed the casing part of device body, the usability again of this whole box body can suffer damage.

Waste ink absorber acceptor in the past is owing to be made of cellulosic nonwoven fabric, the fiber that constitutes nonwoven fabric can form tiny chip, existing in and form the danger of dispersing in the ink-jet recording apparatus. this chip that disperses can damage the function of the important ink jet print head of ink-jet recording apparatus, causes the reduction of image recording quality.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of this invention is to provide and a kind ofly use regrown material to constitute, the porous absorber that absorbability such as ink and the property handled are good, cheap and equip the ink-jet recording apparatus of this absorber.

More specifically say, provide a kind of when in ink-jet recording apparatus, being used as the waste ink absorber acceptor, when being installed in ink-jet recording apparatus, can bring into play sufficient ink recovery ability, when disassembling ink-jet recording apparatus for utilizing again, can be simple and accurately reclaim, can be to ink-jet recording apparatus utilize porous absorber of making contributions and the ink-jet recording apparatus of equipping this absorber again.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of fiber that can suppress and forms porous absorber that chip disperses and the ink-jet recording apparatus of equipping this absorber.

Porous absorber of the present invention is characterized in that containing at least fresh fiber, waste newsprint fiber and flax fibre.

Porous absorber of the present invention is characterized in that the slurries that will with natural fabric or synthetic fiber be main material dewater, drying, forms porous plastid.

Ink-jet recording apparatus of the present invention, it is characterized in that in the ink-jet recording apparatus that uses the record head to spray ink that printing medium is write down, as the absorber of the useless ink of discharging, equipped porous absorber of the present invention from above-mentioned ink-jet recording apparatus.

Porous absorber of the present invention as its constitute, is not a fresh fiber, also can comprise regenerated fiber (also being useless fiber), and have excellent absorption ability and high production performance.

Porous absorber of the present invention, shape does not change before and after absorbing liquid, when containing regenerated fiber, still have and 100% fresh fiber cellulose fiber absorber equality strength as constitute. the absorbability of porous absorber of the present invention, even as constitute when containing regenerated fiber, the diffusivity that also can confirm liquid is better than the absorber of 100% fresh fiber cellulose fiber. promptly, even when in porous absorber of the present invention, containing regenerated fiber as constitute, increase the contact time that also can confirm moistening absorber surface and air, and the evaporation of liquid rate is in priority.

Among the present invention, so-called " fresh fiber " is meant the fiber that does not once all have use in various goods, comprise natural fabric and synthetic fiber. among the present invention, so-called " regenerated fiber " is meant the fiber that used at least after 1 time in various goods, comprise natural fabric and synthetic fiber, as " regenerated fiber ", natural fabric such as waste paper and useless fiber crops all is useless natural fabric. as " regenerated fiber ", waste newsprint is separated the fine fiber of handling all is the waste newsprint fiber, useless gunny productses such as gunnysack are pulverized the gained fiber also be useless flax fibre.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the concise and to the point oblique view of applicable ink-jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the concise and to the point side view of the recovery mechanism of ink-jet recording apparatus among Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the performance test presentation of results figure about table 1 sample.

Fig. 4 is other performance test presentation of results figure about table 1 sample.

The optimal morphology of invention

Example of the present invention below is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(configuration example of ink-jet recording apparatus)

Fig. 1 is the oblique view of the applicable ink-jet recording apparatus configuration example of the present invention of explanation.

The ink-jet recording apparatus that this is routine, use sprays the head cartridge 1 of ink vertically downward from ink jet exit, go up document image at printing mediums such as record-paper (not shown), the formation of head cartridge 1 is can spray the record head of ink from black ejiction opening, form a whole or separable combination with ink tank from ink to this record head that supply with, as record head, for example can use and utilize the electrothermal conversion body that produces heat energy, ink is disputed from ink export the record head of bubble jet (Bubble Jet) (registration mark) mode that sprays. this record head, heat energy by the electrothermal conversion body generation, ink in the heating ink stream produces film boiling, utilize the foaming energy of this moment, ink droplet sprayed from ink jet exit.

Head cartridge 1 carries removably on carriage 2, this carriage 2 is being supported by guide shaft 4 and guide rail 5, can move back and forth .3 along the main scanning direction of arrow A and be to being the carriage drive band the head cartridge 1 box set lever .6 of loading and unloading on carriage 2, to open and to be located among Fig. 1 right side driving wheel of driving by tray motor 7 and Fig. 1 between not shown wheel the in left side. carriage drive band 6 is connected with carriage 2, rely on the revolving force of tray motor 7 that carriage 3 is moved back and forth in the direction of arrow A. the shift position of carriage 2, read coded level ruler 8 by the code sensor (not shown) of lift-launch on this carriage 2 and detect.

Record-paper conveying roller 9 is connected with carrying motor 13 by the driving force transfer device 12 that is made of gear train. and contact roller 10 is supported on the contact roller carriage 11 freely to rotate, utilize afterburning member (not shown) to the 9 one side reinforcings of record-paper conveying roller. automatic sheet feeder 14 separates the each ground of piling up of record-paper (printing medium), send into, recovery device 15 recovers to handle the housing that .16 is a tape deck for a box 1 normal ejection of holding the record, the 18th, the useless ink of interior dress waste ink absorber acceptor (porous absorber) 19 is accommodated part, the 17th, accommodate lower box 17. that part 18 forms one above this lower box 17 with useless ink, be provided with the upper box (not shown) that holds internal mechanism.

Fig. 2 is the concise and to the point pie graph of the recovery device 15 of Fig. 1 ink-jet recording apparatus.

The 20th, the lid that forms by the rubber elastomeric material, the ink jet exit part 1a. 21 that closely is covered with record head magazine 1 is by forming the pipe that the rubber elastomeric material that is connected airtightly forms with lid 20, the 24th, are the roller guide wheels 23 that keep rotary roller 22 while keep the pipe guide bracket part .23 of pipe 21, by roller 22 extruding pipes 21, make the negative pressure that produces the suction ink in the lid 20.

The rotating driveshaft 26 at roller guide wheel 23 centers, be connected with special use or with other drive sources (not shown) that drive dual-purposes by drive transmission device (not shown), utilize the rotatory force of this drive source that it is rotated along direction of arrow B. roller 22 is installed on the roller guide wheel 23 by energizing spring 27, utilize the spring force of this energizing spring 27, with ormal weight limit extruding pipe 21, rotate along direction of arrow B with roller guide wheel 23 on the limit, extruding pipe 21. like this, by extruding pipe 21, make its inner negative pressure that produces, by this negative pressure is imported in the lid 20, the ink that is not suitable for writing down is by the attraction of the ink jet exit from head cartridge 1 discharge forcibly. and like this, can make the ink in the head cartridge 1 keep normal ejection state.

Attract the ink of discharging like this, by rotation and the extruding action of roller 22 along the arrow B direction, discharge as useless ink the right part of pipe 21 from Fig. 2. the right part of this pipe 21, determine to accommodate position part 18 in by pipe position determining part 25 at useless ink. be discharged to the ink that gives up by these pipe 21 right parts and accommodate useless ink in the part 18, absorb maintenance by the waste ink absorber acceptor 19 of porous matter.

(the 1st configuration example of porous absorber)

Below the 1st configuration example of the porous absorber of the present invention that can be used as waste ink absorber acceptor 19 among Fig. 2 is described.

Porous absorber of the present invention (to call absorber in the following text) is that constitute utilizes the wet type method for making molded with natural fabric or synthetic fiber. for example, at first, to in water, disperse as the waste paper fibre of useless natural fabric, be modulated into slurries, in this slurries injection molding mould. the concentration of slurries, usually become component in drying solid, be modulated into 0.03～10 weight %. in order to obtain better dispersity, preferably it is modulated into 0.03～5 weight %. in shaping dies, from slurries, remove decentralized medium water, the shaping thing of this moisture state is utilized heated-air drying, known methods such as infrared drying carry out drying, be made into absorber. as the natural fabric or the synthetic fiber that constitute absorber. use the fiber of Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) more than 550ml. Canadian Standard Freeness, regulation according to JIS-P-8121, the value that normally shows the paper pulp drainability. by using the fiber of Canadian Standard Freeness more than 550ml, can confirm that absorber has good liquid absorption capacity like this.

As the natural fabric or the synthetic fiber that constitute absorber, preferably use Wang Yan formula dewatering speed value at the fiber below 20 seconds. this Wang Yan formula dewatering speed value is to use the long 400mm with 80 order stainless steel wire system base plates, the acrylic resin rounding tube container of internal diameter 83mm φ is measured. promptly, with dry weight 24.3g determination object fiber dispersed with stirring in 1596ml water, be modulated into solid component concentration and be 1.5% slurries, after the modulation of this slurries through 30 minutes, pack in the acrylic resin rounding tube container. attract dehydration from this acrylic resin rounding tube container bottom with the pressure of 350mmHg, time (second) when liquid level arrives from this base plate 10mm height gets and makes Wang Yan formula dewatering speed value. for waste paper fibre, the waste paper dry type is resolved into the filament shape, with this fiber dry weight 24.3g dispersed with stirring in 1596ml water, can be modulated into solid component concentration and be 1.5% slurries. like this, constitute as absorber, by using Wang Yan formula dewatering speed value at the fiber below 20 seconds, when slurries dehydration (absorption etc.), it is bonding mutually to suppress fiber, forms the good porous plastid of adsorptivity.

As the natural fabric that constitutes absorber, specifically can use from following 1., 2., select 3. at least a kind.

1. cellulose fibre arbitrarily, for example fiber (fresh fiber cellulose fiber) of natural timber paper pulp such as chemical pulp that does not use coniferous tree and broad leaf tree that in papermaking usually, uses and mechanical pulp.

2. the fiber of fiber crops and non-timber natural pulps such as cotton arbitrarily.

3. waste and old paper, useless fiber crops etc. were once used useless natural fabric once.

Fiber as natural timber paper pulp, be mainly used in the volume fiber known paper pulp fibers of industrial quarters such as (U.S. Wayerhaeu Ser corporate systems) of liquid such as easy absorption ink. as waste and old paper, can use the newspaper that uses arbitrarily, books, magazine, telephone directory, the catalogue class, good quality paper, packing case, cardboard box, the paper pulp mould, system paper padded coaming, perhaps from papermaking, printing, system originally, the system case, factories such as cardboard manufacturing, rim charge is carried in cutting that discharge the operation field, damage paper etc. are known as recycling goods industrial quarters, with as not recycling discarded object usually. as useless flax fibre, can utilize hemp, fiber crops, flax, jute (thick jute), mestha, sisal hemp, the Tong fiber crops, abaca, New Zealand flaxes etc. are well known in the art, usually can not utilize again and discarded. flax fibre has played interstitial effect on absorber, thereby has improved the drainability of absorber.

When using synthetic fiber,, a kind that from the polyester that has liquid absorption capacity arbitrarily and artificial silk, selects at least can be used, that is, synthetic fiber can be used with liquid absorption capacity as these synthetic fiber as the fiber that constitutes absorber.

The apparent density of absorber is desirable is taken as 0.02g/cm ³More than, 0.40g/cm ³Below. the density of absorber is lower than 0.02g/cm ³The time, in this absorber shaping stage, fiber complexes with one another very weak behind the attraction moisture, the production performance of absorber reduces. and, form too much space in the absorber, behind the absorption liquid, there is the danger of leak of liquid. on the other hand, the apparent density of absorber surpasses 0.40g/cm ³The time, the space is very few, and the absolute absorption amount of liquid is insufficient. and better the absorber apparent density is at 0.10g/cm ³More than, 0.25g/cm ³Below. the specific absorption body surface is seen the validity of density like this, can have or not change of shape, absorbability, three aspect evaluations of productivity before and after absorbent body liquid. and promptly, the apparent density of absorber is less than 0.10g/cm ³The time, behind the absorption liquid, shape generation disintegration, the liquid confining force reduces, and the apparent density of absorber surpasses 0.25g/cm ³The time, the shape hardening of absorber is easy to expand behind the absorption liquid.

The formation of absorber, the useless natural fabric more than 10% that can contain the absorber volume, all the other are the natural timber paper pulp fiber. absorber also can be shaped by the constitute of a kind of composition. and, the absorber of 100% useless natural fabric, need the spended time drying during manufacturing, otherwise cause manufacturing cost to increase., the fit rate of useless natural fabric is taken as below 10%, when making absorber, the usability again of useless natural fabric is worth seldom, with regard to this point, there is not too big-difference with the absorber of only making with natural fabric.

Absorber can be with following fiber as constitute, promptly as the fresh fiber cellulose fiber 30～50% of fresh fiber, disregard message paper fiber 25～35% as waste and old paper fiber, as the useless flax fibre 25～35%. of flax fibre like this, the validity that has cooperated the absorber component ratio of natural fabric and useless natural fabric, can before and after absorbent body liquid, have or not change of shape, three aspect evaluations of absorbability and production performance. for the liquid absorption capacity of absorber, even change such component ratio, also not too big variation. still, absorber drying property when making absorber, the fresh fiber cellulose fiber is faster than useless natural fabric, the ratio of fresh fiber cellulose fiber is big more, the time that spends during manufacturing is also short more, can improve productivity. further investigation is not reducing under the productivity condition of absorber, which kind of degree the cooperation ratio that improves useless natural fabric can reach, the result obtains following optimum component ratio, promptly, the fresh fiber cellulose fiber is 30～50%, waste and old newspaper line fiber is 25～35%, useless flax fibre 25～35%.

Forming aspect the absorber stablize high-quality, the number average fiber length of the useless natural fabric of formation absorber is very effective below 50mm. when the number average fiber length of useless natural fabric surpasses 50mm, absorber density after the manufacturing is easy to inhomogeneous, absorber surface has the possibility that becomes coarse. and the thickness of absorber is preferably in more than the 1mm. and absorber thickness is during less than 1mm, can reduce intensity as absorber, liquid absorption capacity also can reduce.

(the 2nd configuration example of porous absorber)

Below the 2nd configuration example of the porous absorber of the present invention that can be used as Fig. 2 waste ink absorber acceptor 19 is described.

Method for making as porous absorber of the present invention (the following absorber that also cries), wet type method for making and dry method can be arranged. warm formula method for making is above-mentioned manufacturing process, be will be with fresh fiber or to utilize fiber again be the slurries of main material, in shaping dies, dewater, drying, forming the method for porous plastid. the dry type method for making is with fresh fiber or to utilize fiber again be the material of main material, pressurization in shaping dies, heating, the method for formation porous matter.

In such porous absorber forming process, attached to the lip-deep dust of this porous absorber, preferably brushing gas to its surface is removed. this gas, for example preferably blast is adjusted to below the 1.0MPa, do not damage the surface of porous absorber. can select cheap gas as this gas, as air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide etc.

In order to prevent that the formation fiber generation chip that constitutes porous absorber from dispersing, as one of composition of porous absorber, preferably containing water-soluble high-molecular material with bonding formation fiber effects. water-soluble high-molecular material also can contain when absorber is shaped, or after being shaped, absorber applies absorber surface again. should illustrate, constitute the chip that fiber produces by porous absorber, basically produce by this absorber surface, so, for preventing that effectively chip from dispersing, preferably by a spot of water-soluble high-molecular material at absorber after-applied this water-soluble high-molecular material that is shaped.

Can use polysaccharide as water soluble polymer, protein-based, type thermoplastic resin. as water soluble polymer, use starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, animal glue, polyvinyl alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, polyethylene glycol, during polypropylene glycol etc., these materials, even porous absorber has absorbed useless ink, can not react with useless ink composition yet, do not hinder the absorbability of useless ink, only playing anti-chip disperses. water soluble polymer, account for more than 0.001% of porous absorber weight, amount below 5%, can not hinder the absorption characteristic of useless ink, just can prevent effectively that chip from dispersing. it is after-applied during to water soluble polymer to be shaped at absorber, preferably make the water soluble polymer that contains on absorber, form thinly as far as possible, very wide. its reason is that the part of absorber is when containing a large amount of water soluble polymers, there is the danger of the ink absorption characteristic that reduces absorber. therefore, as the high molecular method of administering water-soluble, with compare with liquid, preferably spray, absorber contained.

Embodiment

Below specific embodiments of the invention are described.

(the 1st embodiment)

This routine absorber is to be made of fresh fiber cellulose fiber and useless natural fabric. as this fresh fiber cellulose fiber, use the fiber of volume fibre pulp. as useless natural fabric, use disregard message line and harl. disregard message paper is separated fine the processing, fiber crops are after utilizing the gunnysack cut-out of cutting machine with jute, pulverize with pulverizer again and form flax fibre. to the fresh fiber cellulose fiber 40% (dry weight) that obtains like this, disregard message paper fiber 30% (dry weight), add water in the mixture of useless flax fibre 30% (dry weight), being adjusted to solid component concentration is 2%, fully stir, obtain slurries. these slurries are packed in the shaping dies, fully behind the suction moisture, with 1kg/cm ²Pressurization, 150 ℃ hot blast is sent into 3 minutes, makes the shaping thing drying in the shaping dies, this shaping thing, promptly the density of absorber is 0.20g/cm ³.

With this absorber as waste ink absorber acceptor (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber acceptor 19 " among Fig. 2), in the inner waste ink absorber receiving portions (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber receiving portions 18 " among Fig. 2) of the ink-jet printer of packing into (Canon corporate system BJF-870). the volume of this absorber is about 640cm ³. like this; in this ink-jet printer; carry out above-mentioned recovery action continuously; promptly; for making the recovery action of ink jet exit and ink flow path normalization; the BJ ink that is sucked (Canon corporate system BJF-870 is an ink with BCI-6) is absorbed bulk absorption after discharging. and this action repeats 50 minutes; during this; the BJ ink of the about 70ml of absorbent body. afterwards; in the normal temperature and pressure environment, placed 24 hours; making the absorber drying. this action repeated for 1 week, estimated absorbent body ink front and back and had or not change of shape, the hold mode of ink; liquid diffusivity in time; evaporation rate.

The ink diffusivity of this routine absorbent body of results verification is good. because the ink diffusivity is good, by ink moistening absorber surface and air Long contact time. thus, in between per 24 hour resting period, the ink of absorbent body can evaporate effectively. when (total evaporation of ink)/(by the total quantity of ink that recovers the action absorption) * 100 are taken as absorption evaporation of ink rate, be about 15%, this evaporation rate can be described as the absorber surface drying, the efficient that its absorbability is recovered. therefore, in such experimental session, the absorbent properties of absorber can not descend, useless ink is all kept by absorbent body, even useless ink can not leak out from the waste ink absorber receiving portions. absorb ink, absorber does not expand yet, its shape does not change yet. and this sample example absorber is to have superior absorption capacity, and uses a kind of absorber of considering environmental form of waste paper and useless flax fibre.

(the 2nd embodiment)

In this example, the same absorber made from above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, with this absorber as waste ink absorber acceptor (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber acceptor 19 " among Fig. 2), in the waste ink absorber receiving portions (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber receiving portions 18 " among Fig. 2) in the ink-jet printer of packing into (Canon corporate system BJF-870). the about 640cm of the volume of this absorber ³. this ink-jet printer was used 1 year by the clerk; between this operating period; for obtaining the recovery action of above-mentioned ink jet exit and ink flow path normalization; without any restriction; only carry out according to producer's setting. in this office; utilize ink-jet printer; every day is at 100～200 enterprising line items of record-paper. and this ink-jet printer used after 1 year; have or not change of shape before and after estimating the absorbent body ink; the ink hold mode, the drying property of the time dependent diffusivity of liquid, absorber.

The result is because absorber ink diffusivity is good, the absorber surface moistening by ink contacts for a long time with air, this absorber surface bone dry. therefore, at this experimental session, the absorbent properties of absorber do not reduce, the useless ink of discharging to absorber is all kept by absorbent body, this ink does not leak out from the waste ink absorber receiving portions. take out absorber from useless ink retaining part, the situation of adhering to of the absorber ink inside that detects by an unaided eye, even the result who confirms is that whole inks remain in the absorber. absorb ink, absorber does not expand, its shape does not change yet. and like this, the care environmental form absorber of this example still has the excellent absorption ability in user's environment for use.

(with the comparative example of the 1st embodiment)

The absorber of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment and the absorbability of the middle absorber of installing in the past (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber acceptor 19 " among Fig. 2) of Canon corporate system ink-jet printer (BJF-870) are compared. as the absorber in the past of this comparative example, only constitute by the fresh fiber cellulose fiber. this in the past the absorber of absorber and above-mentioned the 1st embodiment be installed in the inner waste ink absorber acceptor of ink-jet printer (Canon corporate system BJF-870) the about 640cm of the volume of each absorber respectively ³.

Carry out the recovery action in the above-mentioned ink-jet printer equally continuously; it is the recovery action of ink ejiction opening and ink flow path normalization; the BJ ink (Canon corporate system BJF-870 is an ink with BCI-6) of discharging with useless ink is by each absorbent body. and this action was carried out 50 minutes repeatedly; each absorber has absorbed the BJ ink of 70ml approximately during this. subsequently; in the normal temperature and pressure environment, placed 24 hours; making each absorber drying. this action was carried out for 1 week repeatedly; relatively each absorber has or not change of shape before and after absorbing ink; the ink hold mode, the time dependent diffusivity of liquid; evaporation rate.

The result is that any one absorber equal amorphism before and after absorbing ink changes, the ink of discharging as useless ink all absorbs maintenance, there is not ink leakage from these absorbers. and, the diffusivity of ink, the absorber of the 1st embodiment is than absorber was better in the past. and said ink diffusivity is good to be meant that the time that is contacted with air by the moistening absorber surface of ink is also elongated. therefore, the absorber evaporation of ink rate of the 1st embodiment is than absorber was better in the past. obtain the evaporation of ink rate that absorbs according to (all evaporation of ink amounts)/(by recovering total quantity of ink that action absorbs) * 100, the absorber of the 1st embodiment about 15%, absorber about 10 in the past, like this from the comparison of absorber in the past, the care environmental form absorbent body ability that can confirm the 1st embodiment liken to into the absorber in the past of 100% fresh paper pulp of fresh natural fabric better.

(the 3rd embodiment)

Utilize and the identical method of above-mentioned the 1st embodiment, make constituent material as shown in table 19 porous absorbers (sample 1～9) different with the constituent material ratio. in the table 1, C is the fresh paper pulp fiber of fresh fiber, W is a waste paper fibre, J is a flax fibre, E is the hot melt property material, for example, sample 9 is with fresh paper pulp C, fiber crops J, the ratio of waste paper W and hot melt property material E is taken as 50: 15: 30: 5 formations. and the hot melt property material is by heating that fiber is bonding, fixing material, its shape can be fibrous, Powdered, granular etc. any, also they can be mixed and use. as this hot melt property material, for example can be from polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, at least select in the polypropylene copolymer polyester a kind.

Table 1

The formation of sample

Sample number	The mixing ratio of constituent material	Constituent material
Sample number	The mixing ratio of constituent material	Constituent material	1	C/W(70/30)	Fresh paper pulp and waste paper are mixed
2	C/W(50/50)	Fresh paper pulp and waste paper are mixed	1	C/W(70/30)	Fresh paper pulp and waste paper are mixed
2	C/W(50/50)	Fresh paper pulp and waste paper are mixed	3	C/W(30/70)	Fresh paper pulp and waste paper are mixed
4	C/W/E(65/30/5)	With fresh paper pulp and waste paper and the mixing of hot melt property material	3	C/W(30/70)	Fresh paper pulp and waste paper are mixed
4	C/W/E(65/30/5)		5	C/W/E(45/50/5)	With fresh paper pulp and waste paper and the mixing of hot melt property material
6	C/W/E(25/70/5)	With fresh paper pulp and waste paper and the mixing of hot melt property material	5	C/W/E(45/50/5)
6	C/W/E(25/70/5)		7	C/J/W(5O/20/3O)	With fresh paper pulp and fiber crops and waste paper mixing
8	C/J/W(40/3O/3O)	With fresh paper pulp and fiber crops and waste paper mixing	7	C/J/W(5O/20/3O)
8	C/J/W(40/3O/3O)		9	C/J/W/E(50/15/30/5)	With fresh paper pulp and fiber crops and waste paper and the mixing of meltbility material

For these samples 1～9, revolve performance test in fact to waste ink absorber acceptor requirement performance. be related to ink in this example and suck lifting height, the evaporation rate of ink, maintenance dose, expansion rate and the expense of ink, the same with sample 1～9, to implement the product in the past (waste ink absorber acceptor) of 100% fresh fiber and implement performance test. test specimen is adjusted into wide 2cm * long 20cm * thick 1cm.

Fig. 3 represents to absorb the result of the test of ink lifting height. the transverse axis of Fig. 3 be below sample the contact ink after elapsed time, the longitudinal axis represents to absorb in the sample upward the height of ink, sample 1～9 all has than the about ink diffusivity more than 2 times of the sample in the past of 100% fresh fiber as can be known from Fig. 4. for the waste ink absorber acceptor, requirement has the performance of a large amount of absorption inks, the ink diffusivity is good more, represent that this performance is good more. sample 1～9 is all good than the sample in the past of 100% fresh fiber as can be known with regard to its aspect of performance. for the waste ink absorber acceptor, when the recovery of record head is handled, requirement can be in the performance of transient absorption to a large amount of inks of discharging in the short time. and the characteristic curve angle of elevation among Fig. 3 is anxious more, its performance is good more. therefore, at its aspect of performance, sample 1～9 is all good than the sample in the past of 100% fresh fiber as can be known, particularly

sample

1,2,4,5,7～9 is more good.

Then, once immerse above-mentioned absorber sample in the ink, after fully absorbing ink, gravimetry. calculate the sample 1～9 and the ink maintenance dose of absorption of sample body per unit volume in the past thus. the result as can be known sample 1～9 and in the past sample have roughly the same maintenance dose.

Varied in thickness (expansion rate) during about the absorption ink, the sample in the past of sample 1～9 and 100% fresh fiber is implemented the result of test, as can be known sample 1～9 and in the past sample have roughly the same expansion rate. as the waste ink absorber acceptor, preferably do not produce bigger expansion when absorbing ink.

After fully absorbing the absorber former state ground placement certain hour of ink, the evaporation ink absorbed. Fig. 4 illustrates the result of the test of evaporation of ink rate. for the waste ink absorber acceptor, when evaporation absorbs ink in early days, requirement has the performance of recovering the ink absorption performance. at this aspect of performance, sample 1～9 is compared with the sample in the past of 100% fresh fiber as can be known, initial stage in evaporation is poor slightly, but final result has same performance.

About manufacturing expense, the sample in the past of sample 1～9 and 100% fresh fiber relatively, the result is that the expense of sample in the past is the highest, the sample 3 that contains 70% waste paper more than 50%, 6 take second place. contain the absorber of 50% above waste paper, need spended time to carry out drying during manufacturing. therefore,, preferably make waste paper content below 50% with regard to the expense aspect.

By above performance test result, by the sample 7～9 that contains flax fibre, can confirm can give full play to as the function of waste ink absorber acceptor. in these samples 7～9, fresh paper pulp (fresh natural fabric) C is 40～50%, fiber crops J is 15～30%, other be waste paper W or hot melt property material E. fiber crops J by its fiber keep absorber shape, so when this absorber of processing, can prevent that shape from producing the defective generation of disintegration, thereby improve its property handled.

(the 4th embodiment)

This routine absorber is that the polyvinyl alcohol by cellulose fiber peacekeeping water soluble polymer is constituted. its manufacturing process, be in the mixture of cellulose fibre 97% (dry weight) and polyvinyl alcohol 3% (dry weight), to add water, adjusting solid component concentration is 2%, fully stir and obtain slurries. these slurries are packed in the shaping dies, fully behind the suction moisture, with 1kg/m ²Pressurization, and send into 150 ℃ of hot blasts of 3 minutes, make the shaping thing drying in the shaping dies, obtain porous absorber.

Subsequently, make this porous absorber intensive drying after, brush about 15 seconds with the air of blast 0.3MPa, remove in the processing that is shaped attached to the dust on the absorber surface.

Like this, confirm the chip amount of dispersing of this porous absorber. this confirmation method is to utilize the strong porous absorber that beats, mandatory generation fiber fragment, yet with the naked eye confirm its generating capacity., with the naked eye do not see porous absorber and produce chip. then, with this porous absorber as waste ink absorber acceptor (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber acceptor 19 " among Fig. 2), pack in the waste ink absorber receiving portions (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber receiving portions 18 " among Fig. 2) in the ink-jet printer (Canon corporate system BJF-870), in this operation, confirm that absorber surface does not produce chip. after the ink-jet printer body packing formation goods state of this absorber then will be housed, at x, y, vibrate repeatedly on the 3 axial all directions of z and fall, each 1 hour, confirm that with the naked eye the intrinsic pass-through area of ink-jet printer divides and the situation of recording section generation chip, the result does not see the generation chip.

Subsequently; in this ink-jet printer, carry out above-mentioned recovery action continuously; promptly obtain the recovery action of ink jet exit and ink flow path normalization; the ink (Canon corporate system BJF-870 is an ink with BCI-6) of discharging is absorbed bulk absorption. after this carry out record; detection record result; confirm that ink does not spray, record such as literal is not good, and record head recover not generations of bad phenomenon such as action.

In this routine porous absorber, research is because of adding the variation that water soluble polymer causes the ink absorption characteristic. and the ink absorption characteristic can be by the ink diffusivity, the ink conservation rate, the absorber expansion rate, evaporation of ink rate aspect is estimated. and the result is this routine porous absorber and does not add between the porous absorber of water soluble polymer, the absorption characteristic of ink does not almost have difference. subsequently, this the routine absorber that has absorbed ink is taken out from ink-jet printer is inner, with it at 35 ℃, placed one month in the environment of 90% humidity, the variation of surface is inhaled in research, and the result is that absorber surface does not produce mould etc.

Absorber for above-mentioned the 1st～the 3rd embodiment also can add as this routine water soluble polymer.

(the 5th embodiment)

This routine absorber is made of cellulose fibre. after this absorber is shaped, air with blast 0.3MPa brushed 15 seconds it, remove the dust that is adsorbed in the forming process on the absorber surface. like this, the poly-vinyl alcohol solution of spray water soluble macromolecular 1.0wt% on this absorber surface, this spraying was carried out 15 seconds approximately. and the amount of water soluble polymer at this moment is the 0.5%. of porous absorber weight

Subsequently, after this absorber intensive drying, confirm to utilize the effect of water soluble polymer spraying processing. this confirmation method is with the strong porous absorber that beats, the mandatory fiber that makes produces chip, yet with the naked eye confirm its generating capacity., naked eyes are not seen porous absorber and are produced chip. then, with this porous absorber as in the waste ink absorber receiving portions (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber receiving portions 18 " among Fig. 2) in waste ink absorber acceptor (" waste ink absorber acceptor 19 " among Fig. 2) ink-jet printer of packing into (Canon corporate system BJF-870). confirm that absorber surface does not produce chip in this operation. then, after the ink-jet printer body packing formation goods state of this absorber is housed, respectively at x, y, z, vibrate repeatedly on three direction of principal axis and fall, each 1 hour, confirming that with the naked eye the intrinsic pass-through area of ink-jet printer divides and the situation of recording section generation chip. the result does not see the generation chip.

Subsequently; in this ink-jet printer; carry out above-mentioned recovery action continuously; promptly; obtain the recovery action of ink jet exit and ink flow path normalization; the ink (Canon corporate system BJF-870 is an ink with BCI-6) of discharging is absorbed bulk absorption. and after this carry out record, detection record result confirms that the not good enough and record head of records such as ink does not spray, literal recovers phenomenons such as action is bad and do not produce.

In this routine porous absorber, research is because of the variation of the ink absorption characteristic that causes of spraying polyvinyl alcohol. and the absorption characteristic of ink can be from the ink diffusivity, the ink conservation rate, the absorber expansion rate, and evaporation of ink rate aspect is estimated. the result is this routine porous absorber and does not add between the porous absorber of water soluble polymer, the ink absorption characteristic does not almost have difference. subsequently, this the routine absorber that has absorbed ink is taken out from ink-jet printer is inner, with it at 35 ℃, placed one month in the environment of 90% humidity, the variation of research absorber surface, the result does not have generation such as mould on the absorber surface.

Also can be to the absorber of above-mentioned the 1st～the 3rd embodiment as this example polyvinyl alcohol of spraying.

(with the comparative example of the 5th embodiment)

Absorber and the middle absorber of installing in the past (being equivalent to " waste ink absorber acceptor 19 " among Fig. 2) of Canon corporate system ink-jet printer (BJF-870) to above-mentioned the 5th embodiment compare the chip generation. as the absorber in the past of this comparative example, only constitute, do not have to implement the processing that anti-fiber disperses by the fresh fiber cellulose fiber.

With strong this absorber of absorber and above-mentioned the 5th embodiment in the past that beats, mandatory generation chip, its generation relatively with the naked eye. the result is that the absorber chip generation of the 5th embodiment obviously is less than absorber in the past. in the past in the chip that absorber produces, much the seeing of the tiny white particulate of seeing.

Equally with this in the past the absorber of absorber and above-mentioned the 5th embodiment pack in the waste ink absorber receiving portions in the ink-jet printer (Canon corporate system BJF-870), the volume of each absorber is 640cm ³. at this moment, utilize the naked eyes evaluation that the amount of debris that produces in these absorber operations is installed. the result is that the absorber chip generation of the 5th embodiment is less than absorber in the past. still, only with strong beaing the time, not seeing amount of debris has than big-difference.

After the printer packing formation goods state of various absorbers has been installed; at x; y; vibrate repeatedly on z three direction of principal axis and fall; each 1 hour; with the naked eye confirm pass-through area branch in the printing machine body; the recording section chip produces situation. and the result is a pass-through area branch in the printer body; the chip generation of recording section; the absorber of the 5th embodiment is less than absorber in the past. subsequently; in each ink-jet printer; carry out above-mentioned recovery action continuously; promptly; make ink jet exit and ink flow path obtain the recovery action of normalization; the ink (Canon corporate system BJF-870 is an ink with BCI-6) of discharging is absorbed bulk absorption. and the result is an absorber in the past; the chip that produces from its absorber surface is attached on the intrinsic lid part of printing machine; when recovering, the record head suction causes that suction is bad; cause ink not spray. opposite with it; for the absorber of the 5th embodiment, can confirm not spray that bad phenomenon can not take place with document image is good enough etc. as this ink.

(other embodiment)

Absorber of the present invention; except recovering to handle by above-mentioned suction; promptly; discharge the ink processing from record head and ink flow path suction; absorb and keep discharging outside the useless ink; also can be used as useless ink to utilizing various recovery ways such as pre-ejection and pressurization recover to discharge; absorbing the waste ink absorber acceptor of maintenance. pre-ejection is the good ink ejection state for the head of holding the record; the ink of not paying the image record is recovered from the processing of record head ejiction opening ejection; utilize this recovery to handle; can make from the ink of record head ejection and be absorbed the bulk absorption maintenance. the pressurization recovery is the good ink ejection state for the head of holding the record; to pressurizeing in the record head; discharge the recovery of ink handles from the mandatory pressurization of ejiction opening; utilize this recovery to handle; the ink of discharging from the record head pressurization is kept by absorbent body. like this; utilize pre-ejection; suction recovers; the useless ink that the pressurization recovery waits the recovery way to discharge is kept by absorbent body; can guarantee waste ink water; and the inside of not polluting ink-jet recording apparatus, the result can make good record be in stabilisation for a long time.

The ink absorber of the useless ink of the present invention's conduct etc. is applicable to following various aspects, promptly, relative paper, silk, fiber, cloth and silk, leather, metal, plastics, glass, timber, the printer that printing mediums such as pottery write down, duplicator, facsimile machine with communication system, devices such as word processor with printing portion, and then, the industrial tape deck that carries out compound assembling with various treating apparatus. said among the present invention " record " (also crying " printing " sometimes), be not only that finger-type becomes literal, the situation of meaningful informations such as image, and refer to pay no attention to intentionally still unintentionally, whether also pay no attention to is that people are with vision, consciousness obtains the information of manifesting, so long as forming image on the printing medium widely, style, pattern etc., all be called record, also comprise the situation that printing medium is processed. so-called " printing medium ", not only be meant the paper and the sheet that generally in tape deck, use, also refer to accommodate widely the medium of ink, as cloth, plastic film, metallic plate etc. and then, so-called " ink ", the same with the definition of above-mentioned " record ", be a kind of explanation of broad sense fully, be meant to be attached on the printing medium, the formation image can be provided, style, the liquid of pattern etc. or recording medium processing.

Absorber of the present invention, except that in tape deck, using, for to being arranged on handle affairs the mechanical generation leakage of oil in industry institute or the family or the punishment of leakage solvent such as factory, also can use when absorbing these oil or solvent. absorber of the present invention also can be used for absorption and keeps all gases except absorbing solution bodies such as keeping ink, oil, solvent.

The effect of invention

As described above, the present invention is by containing at least fresh fiber, waste paper fibre and flaxen fiber, utilize regrown material to consist of porous absorber, improved absorbability and the treatability of ink etc., and realized low cost.

More specifically, during waste ink absorber acceptor that porous absorber is used as ink-jet recording apparatus, when being installed in the ink-jet recording apparatus, brought into play sufficient ink recovery ability, when disassembling ink-jet recording apparatus for recycling, can easyly reclaim exactly, and the recycling of ink-jet recording apparatus is made contributions.

By applying water soluble polymer to porous absorber, can restrain fiber formation chip and disperse.

With the slurries take natural fiber or synthetic fibers as main material dewater, the dry porous absorber that forms, can utilize the manufacturing of New type wet method for making, and, can in ink-jet recording apparatus etc., bring into play good absorbability.

Formation fiber as porous absorber, wait regenerated fiber by using waste paper and useless fiber crops, the care environmental form porous absorber that has with the equal or equal above absorbability of the porous absorber of 100% fresh fiber can be provided, as regrown material, also opened up the novel use of waste paper and useless fiber crops etc.

Claims

1. porous matter ink absorber, be to be used in from ink jet print head ejection ink on the ink-jet recording apparatus of the enterprising line item of printing medium, be used for absorbing useless ink, the ink that should useless ink comprises the ink of discharging from the ink jets suction of above-mentioned ink jet print head, discharges from the ink jets pressurization of above-mentioned ink jet print head or from any of the ink that the image record is not played a role of above-mentioned record head ejection, it is characterized in that

Described porous matter ink absorber comprises fresh fiber cellulose fiber, disregard message paper fiber and useless flax fibre,

The ratio of each fiber is fresh fiber cellulose fiber 30～50%, disregard message paper fiber 25～35%, useless flax fibre 25～35%,

Surface to described porous matter ink absorber has applied water soluble polymer, and water soluble polymer is more than 0.001% of above-mentioned porous absorber weight, the amount below 5%.

2. according to the porous matter ink absorber of claim 1 record, it is characterized in that containing: above-mentioned fresh fiber cellulose fiber 40%, above-mentioned disregard message paper fiber 30%, above-mentioned useless flax fibre 30%.

3. according to the porous matter ink absorber of claim 2 record, it is characterized in that with the 1.0wt% poly-vinyl alcohol solution as above-mentioned water soluble polymer, polyvinyl alcohol is sprayed, and adds on the surface of above-mentioned porous matter ink absorber.